“I admire the mothers doing everything by themselves!” Elina Svitolina on juggling work and parenthood

Into the Roland-Garros fourth round for the first time since 2020 with a three-set win over Anna Blinkova, Elina Svitolina took the chance to pay tribute to the other mothers on tour – and all the women who juggle career and motherhood.

“I take inspiration also from other women who gave birth, came back to the sport and tennis, or different sports as well. For sure, it takes a huge effort to do that. Even like we have Tatjana Maria who came back after two kids. It’s really inspiring, to be fair. I’m not sure I would come back after the second baby!” she smiled.

“It was already quite tough to come back, even though everyone tells me that it’s quick, but I feel like it’s been ages. But, yeah, I admire all the mothers who are working, who are, you know, have life besides, you know, taking care of the baby, because I have a team for Skai full time taking care of her, and then I have a chance to play a little bit of tennis.

“So, yeah, I admire the mothers who are doing everything by [themselves]. Yeah, it takes a lot of effort. Really inspiring.”

Read also

Azarenka, Townsend and the return of Svitolina: The super mums still active on the WTA Tour

Tennis Majors

Unsurprisingly, she was also asked about her refusal to shake hands with opponent Anna Blinkova.

“I’m Ukrainian. I’m standing for my country. I’m doing everything possible in the way to support, to give a good spirit for the men, for the women who are right now in the front line who are fighting for our land, for our country.

“So can you imagine the guy or a girl who is right now in a front line, looking at me and I’m acting like nothing is happening? I’m representing my country. I have a voice. I’m standing with Ukraine. I’m standing, I have my position in this war. What is Russian government or Russian soldiers are doing on our land is really, really terrible.

“For us, it’s just our position in this, and it touches many different areas. It touches sport, it touches acting, it touches all different areas. So, you know, we are all united, Ukrainians. And this is our position.”

And she thanked her opponent in the next round, Daria Kasatkina, for going on the record to oppose the war.

“I’m thankful to Dasha for taking this position. That’s what you expect from others, as well. It’s really brave from her.”